Sector 11, one of the last 4 to be counted.
We had a great start to the day. Started sector 14 with 2 groups and knocked it out in 40 minutes. Our 2 groups joined the other group and knocked out sector 11 by 10 AM. Not bad. 2 sectors in 2 hours. That gave us an hour and a half to be “as free as birds.” After lunch we went to the end of the runway by the ocean and went head long into the maze of naupaka that is called Frigate Point. Now remember we are trying to walk in semi-straight lines parallel to each other. Doesn’t happen when you can’t even see each other. We wandered in and out of naupaka for 2 hours. It was pure craziness. Richard told me that where I found dead verbesina there were albatross paths and where you find albatross paths you must go because you will find nest. I would have included a picture of this sector but all you would have seen is the tangled limbs and green leaves of naupaka.
WE HAVE FINISHED EASTERN ISLAND. Tomorrow we have the day of and if the weather is good we go to Spit Island for half a day on Wednesday. There are other projects we can help out with and there are always new photos to be taken.
Tonight Susan Scott, who was a late arriving counter with experience, gave a talk about things that can sting you in the ocean. Turns out that the best thing to do is leave the stings alone or put ocean water on them. Anything else tends to aggravate the sting. Susan also writes a column for the Honolulu Star Bulletin that comes out on Mondays. Check it out.
Morning moon.
There is an albatross here known as Wisdom. Wisdom was first banded here on Midway and 1956 as a nester. This means that she was at least 5 years old. She could have been older. Wisdom is incubating this year at the age of at least 59. That’s one of the reason to band a bird. You can learn about longevity.
There is soul in that eye.
Non-native yellow canary.
Downstairs neighbor. (Petrel burrow)
We finished sector 1. (l - r) Jim, Jenny, Breck, Jill, Richard, Raquel, yours truly, David, Suzanne, Susan, Mark, Bev. Martha is taking the picture.
Marking nest while Susan incubates giant float "egg."
Is that Jill McIntyre I spot in your group picture? If so, be sure to tell her hi. She is a Midway regular and visited Kaua’i this past year with a group from Sierra Club. Great person. She loaned me the last of her phosphate-free laundry detergent and a phone card last year.
And that photo of the albie flying by the moon–INCREDIBLE.
When do you return home? Never?
Aloha,
Kim
I read Susan’s article in the Star Bulletin: http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/oceanwatch/20100104_ocean_watch.html
That’s great that you’re getting some free time. I’m looking forward to more pics and video.
The moon & albie photo is fantastic! A yellow canary, too. Very neat!
I’ve really enjoyed your blog and the pictures, and with Becky’s help, I even read Susan’s article. I want to talk to you when you get home and hear more about your adventure.
Love you,
Mumb